Wrap-around apparatus for knitting machines



Feb. 6, 1940. H. AGULNEK WRAP-AROUND APPARATUS FOR KNITTING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 7, 1939 k W Y A o 5; 3% M Feb. 6, 1940. EK I 2,189,275

WRAP-AROUND APPARATUS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed March 7, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Harry Agulnele ATTQRNEY Feb. 6, 1940. H, AGQLNEK 2,189,275

WRAP-AROUND APPARATUS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed March 7, 1939 3 SheetsSheet 3 IN VENTOR HarryAgaZ/zek BY ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 6, 1940 PATENT ,iosricr.

WRAP-AROUND" APPARATUS FOR KNITTING MACHINES l Harry Agulnek, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Samuel Mishcon, doing business as Supreme Knitting Machine 00., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application March 7, 1939, Serial No. 260,378

18 Claims. (Cl. 66-135) This invention relates to knitting machines adapted for the manufacture of fabric containmg vertical stripes, and particularly tO circuIar open-top multiple-feed knitting machines having a hollow needle-retaining cylinder operativeiy associated with the usual yarn-feeding and needle-actuating elements. This invention 1 is further directedto the so-called Wrap-around method of producing vertical stripes, and isan improvement over the structure described in my prior application filed October 3, 1938, Serial No.

232,964, now Patent No. 2,175,238. a

It is primarily within the contemplation of this invention to provide a simple; easily fabricated and conveniently located wrap-around do vice in association with the cylinder of the abovementioned type of knitting machine whereby fabric with vertical stripes and devoid of floats can be readily producedwithout materially in creasing the size and proportions of the entire machine. This objective I accomplish by utilizing the central space within the cylinderfor' housing certain wrap around actuating mecha nisms, no portion of the structure constituting my invention extending beyond the confines of the substantially cylindrical wall of main yarn strands extending down from'the conventional overhead cones of yarntothe conventionalfeed ing stations aboutthe cylinder. v A further object of the above-mentioned as pect of my invention is to maintain the wraparound actuating mechanism at or slightly above the top level of the cylinder, the attainment of said objective being accomplished by employing f horizontally disposed and substantially radially movable elements adapted to effect the wraparound motion at predetermined intervals.

It is still a furtherobject of my invention to provide a simple andunitary means for oper- 40* atively elevating both the wrap-around needles as well as the conventional body-yarn needles to a desired latch-clearing level whereby all needles can take body yarn and the said wrap-around needles can take striping yarn as well.

It is also within the contemplation of this invention toprovide a machine for accomplishing the aforesaid functions whereinthe vertical striping yarn cones are supported by a stand'positioned slightly above the central interior of the needle cylinder and in fixed relation with respect rality ci stations about the cylinder. I

Another object of my invention is to provide stretcher or spreader means forthe tubular fab ric made on knitting machines and which are adapted to cooperate with means for holding the striping yarn stand in fixed position with respect to the cylinder. if

Other objects, features and advantages will appear from the drawings and the description t hereinafter given;

Referring to the drawings: 7 .r n. v a

Figure l is a vertical fragmentarysection of a circular open-top independent latch needle knit ting machine, with a stationary cylinder, containing one form of my invention, including a semi-diagrammatic representation of a portion of the fabricated cloth. ,Figure 2 is a part sectional plan of Figure 1 taken along line2.2, showing the position of a portion of the tubular fabric'upon the stretcher and within the bifurcated terminal of the holding bracket for the aforesaid stationary portions of my apparatus. p Figure 3 is a fragmentary section of Figure 1 taken along line 3-l3. I t

Figure 4 is a part sectional plan of Figure 1 5 taken along line 4-4 showing the relative posicycle.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a wrap-around 40 bar, constituting-an element of my invention, 11-

lustratingsemi-diagrammatically its operation with respect to a latch needle. s

' Figure 8 is a semi-diagrammaticrepresenta ticn of a portion of a knitting machine contain ing a cam element of my invention, the drawing being a development of a portion of a cylinder in operative relation withrespec't to needle ele-e vating and depressing means. 50

Figure!) is an enlarged side elevation showing a wrap-around needle and an adjacent body 1 yarn needle in operative engagement with the duplex elevatingcam of my invention;

FigurelO is a fragmentary verticalsection of '55" a circular knitting machine containing a modified form of my invention.

Figure 11 is a part sectional plan of Figure 10, substantially similar to that of Figure 6, showing certain operative positions of the wrap-around device.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the wrap-around bar employed in the structures of Figures 10 and 11.

Figure 13 is an enlarged side elevation showing a modified form of wrap-around needle and independent vertically movable latch needles ll adapted to be operatively actuated by elevating and depressin g mechanisms at a plurality of feed stations about the cylinder (not shown on the drawings inasmuch as they are well known in the art) these mechanisms being operatively mounted on cam blocks l2 which are positioned upon the rotatable cam ring 13, this ring being in operative engagement with the gear I 4 mounted on shaft l5 connectedto suitable driving means not shown. Mounted upon and attached to said cam ring l3 are the vertical columns it which support the revolving main yarn stand I! containing thereon the yarn cones IS. The specific construction shown in the drawings has been chosen merely for illustrative purposes, it being understood that a revolving cylinder type of structure, or a spring beard needle machine, or other design of knitting machine in this general category may be similarly adapted for use with my invention.

Extending through the central portion of said yarn stand I? and through the hollow boss l9 thereof is a central supporting post 20, said post being held in suspended position from the yarn stand H by suitable fastening means, illustrated At a lower portion of said post is the collar shown secured in place by the set screw 26. Mounted upon said collar 25 is the thrust bearing 21, illustrated as of ball-bearing construction, and

surmounted upon said bearing is the stationary dial member 28. surmounted u on said stationary dial Z8 is the rotatable dial 29. said latter dial being rotatable with respect to the stationary dial in a manner to be more fully hereinafter set forth.

It will be noted that the said post or shaft 25! extends through the hubs 3i! and 3! of the dials -29 and 28 respectively, the lower or stationary stand 34 supporting the striping yarn cones 35, the number of said striping yarn cones being made to correspond with the number of striping stations about the cylinder, and these in turn correspond with the number of wrap-around devices employed. From the cones 35 strands of yarn are directed to guides 36 from which such strands 31 are carried down to the wrap-around device in a manner to be hereinafter described.

The lower or stationary dial member 28 con- 'tains a peripheral portion 38 having therein a plurality of substantially radially disposed slots 39 for operatively and slidably accommodating the wrap-around bars 40, as will hereinafter be set forth. And surmounted upon the upper surface of said peripheral portion 38 is the ring-like plate 4! adapted to hold the bars 40 in proper horizontal positiomsaid plate containing recessed portions 42 of sufficient radial length to permit an operative movement of members 40, as will hereinafter appear. The upper or rotatable dial member 29 contains a peripheral portion 43 which is in effect a cam ring containing on the underside thereof the grooved recess 44 (see Figs. 4, 5 and 6) extending substantially circumferentially about peripheral portion 43, said recess having a plurality of sharply curved outwardly extending portions 45 to correspond with the number of bodyyarn feed stations employed in the structure. The said cam portion 43 is surmounted upon the plate M of the stationary dial 23, so as to be in slidable and rotatable engagement therewith, the grooved portion 44 accommodating the butts 45 of the wrap-around bars 40. Both upper and lower dials contain a plurality of reinforcing ribs 4'! and 48 respectively, these ribs extending from the hubs of the dials to the said peripheral portions.

The stationary dial member 28 is held against rotation by an arrangement whereby it is locked in fixed relation with respect to the cylinder 10: and if the cylinder is stationary, the locking means can be attached either directly to the cylinder or to any other convenient structural part of the machine to which the cylinder is secured. the form illustrated, the locking elements consist of the substantially vertical bars 49 attached by bolts 59 to the bosses 5| extending downwardly from the stationary dial 28, and the horizontal arms 52 attached to the lower extremities of bars 49. These arms extend between the bifurcated terminals53 of the brackets 54 which are attached by bolts 55 to the stationary framework of the machine. The relative proportions of the arms 52 and the corresponding brackets 54 are such as to enable the tube of material 56 to pass therebetween, the bifurcated terminals 53 holding the arms 52 against lateral movement. In this manner it is apparent that'the lower dial member 28 is firmly held against rotary movement. Suitably attached to the stationary dial member 28 is the member 51. the lower arm 58 of which is he d against lateral movement by the bracket 59. The upper portion of member 5'! is attached by bracket 60 to the auxiliary ,varn stand 34, thereby likewise holding said yarn stand against movement. The upper dial. member 29. being secured by fastening means 32 to post 2!), obviously revolves together with the post. And inasmuch as both dials are positioned between bearings 2! and 33. the up er dial member 29 and post 20 will encounter a minimum of resistance to rotation by the fixed and immovable disposition of the stationary dial member 28 and stationary auxiliary stand 34.

The wrap-around bar 40 consists of a fiat thin According to the form illustrated, the finger 83 Figure 8,;that when thebutts 11; :of .the wrap vertical strip 6! containing-in the-preierredsform thereof, a terminal portion 62-twistedtat right angles-thereto; said. latter portion being horizontal and ,servingas a bearing forthe finger rotatably mounted upon the pin 64 secured-preferably nut 65 to the flat terminal portion 62. surmounted over the-shankof pin is the spring I -B6containing a terminal portiont'l'in engagement with the ringer 53 and normally urging said finger in longitudinal alignment with thestrip 61;. And infthe preferred arrangement, finger 63 contains the stopfili thereon abuttable. with-portion 62 to prevent a furtherpivotal movement of fingerfifl;

contains at the terminal thereof a singleifeedi-ng tubefie, although morethan one tubeinay be employediifdesired. As many wrap-aroundbars 4B canbe ,operativelylemployed as may be required, each of the barsbeingso positioned that the strips 6! are vertically disposed within the radial slots so of theter-Ininal portion 38 of the stationary dial, 2%, andwith the ,butts 46 extending upwardly: into the grooved recess 44 of the dial cam ring 3. The'tube 69 is normally (in its inoperative posh] t Omgdisposed slightly behind, the hook Hlo'f the adjacent wrap-aroundneedle, this being the, position of the tube when the butt'fi isin any por-- tion of groove M except the saidsharply curved portionsatlii The movements ofthe wrap-around mechanism will ;be more fully hereinafter. ex plained. a i

In order toproperly efiect a wrap-around op- ,eration without interrupting the continuity of feeding the bodyyarn, it isapparent that there" mustbetwo sets, of needles, one for wrap-around purposes and the other for creating body fabric,

the wrap-around needles being elevated to a latch-clearing position above that of n the body Although several. methods can be I 40.employed for selectively elevating the needles to yarn needles.

their respectiveyar-n taking levels, suchas by means of conventional selector wheels or plate cams adapted for wide butt wrap-around needles,

the structure of elevating means which I prefer is that illustrated in Figure 8; where a doubletrack cam H is employed; Thiscarn'is oftstepped,

' formation, containing: an inwardly-protruding portion. 1?, provided at the top thereof with the by stitch cam 19a. It is of course understood that normal cam surface lil havinganzinclination adapted to receive theshort butt 14 of the normal body yarn needle 75. Farther removed outwardly from the cylinder with respect to said surface [3 is the wrap-around cam surface 150i the cam H, this latter surface being at a slightly steeper elevation and extending to a higher levelthan surface ":73. The surface 16 is out of reach of the butts M of the normal body yarnlneedles but suficien'tly close to thecylinder to operatively re-' ceive the relativelyv long butts," of the wrap-- around needles 13. Positioned above anddil rectly behindtheupwardly inclined surfaces 13 andl'fi is the stitch cam lil which is adapted to receive the butts of all the needles forop'eratively drawing them down, In the preferred structure illustrated, the cam H is of duplex structure, containing cam surfaces 13o andlfiaequivalent to surfaces 13 and 76, wherebywith this construction the needles are again operatively elevated after leaving the stitch cam 19, totbegin another cycle, the needles subsequently being drawn down any, number of cam structures with surfaces equivalent to it and 16 may be employed in propenspaced relation about the cylinder. I I It should further be noted,stil1 referring to around needles l8 reach the uppermostlevelW of. surface 16, the hooks'of each of these wrap- 7 around :needles are positioned above the hoolrs of body yarnneedles "l5 whenithe butts of said" last-mentioned needles reach the uppermostlevel Bgof the surface 13. However, the latches of the wrap-around needles are longer than the latches Slof thebody yar'n needles, to enable I the wrap-around yarn, whenbeing fed from their relatively high feeding positions, to operatively engage thelatches 80; for. if the latches 8! were shorter there wouldjalways be the danger thatthe, wrap-around yarn would engage the shanks of the wrap around needles below the latches unless the feeding points of such yarn were elevated to a carefully selectedyexcessively.

high position It should further be noted that when the needles are in their uppermost posi-' tions, thelatches 30 and 8! of both the wraparound and body yarn needles extend above, the latch-clearing level 82 illustrated in Figure 8 wit reference to the conventio nal sinker 83., ,1 In theoperationof this apparatus, a predetermined, number of wrap-around needles 18ers positioned in selected stations about the: cylinjder in accordance, with i the desired ,desi'gn. A

are operatively positioned within the radial slots 39 of the stationarydial 2-3, these 'barsbeingso positionedwithrespect to the said wrap-around ,corresponding number ,ofawrap-around bars MI needles 18 that the said tube 65 aflixed to each i finger 63 0f said bars will be slightly behind its corresponding needle 18 and in its normal retracted position closer to the 'cylinder.- In this retracted position, as aforesaidthe butt 46 is po-H sitioned within the can; groove 44, but somewhat in advance-of the outwardly projecting portion 45 thereof (see Fig. l). 'As the upper or rotatable,

"dial 29 rotates inthe direction of arrow A, the

said-projecting portion 455 of groove M will ap-j proach thebuttfi and will oper'ati vely project the bar 19' forwardly intothe position indicated in Figure 5. In this position it will be noted that the tube- 68 is still in advance of the needle 18 with respect tothe direction of rotation of the cam ring about the cylinder, and is also projected V,

forwardly of said needle. ,By. a mechanism to be i j more fully hereinafterset forth, thefinger 53 and tube 69 are actuated inthe direction of rotation of the elements moving about the cylinder, whereby said tube fiiliand the wrap around yarn car-' riedthereby will'be moved in a path acrossthe needl'e mas indicated in Figure'fi; and thereafter theentire bar til is retracted bythe grooved path M aftertheprojecting curved portion 35 thereof" will have passed butt d6, thereby completing an these cams projecting inwardly towards the cylinder and being adapted to engage the fingers 63 of said barstlfl when ;,the bars are in their pm jected positions as indicated in Figures, 5 and 6. The said sinker cam ring M rotates together with the cam ring It, posts It; main yarn standll,

post 25 and the, upper rotatable dial 29, so that there can readily be a cooperative relation between protruding portions 450i cam slot and th'ecams 85 'wh'erebythe'y' can bothfoperatively actuate the bar lil. I

'Itds thus apparent that as the cam ring 84 and the'rotating dial 29'revolve about the cylinder;

the wrap-around bars 40 will be projected forwardly by the. walls of cam groove 45, and the fingers 93 engaged by cams 85 will be swung in the direction of' rotation of the sinker cam ring, bringing the yarns '3? around the shanks and latches of needles l8. Referring to Figured, the

position of the cam 85 and tube 99 is shown duringthe retraction of bar 49 and it is obvious that after the tube 99 is retracted further inwardly ('c'am'89 now being out of engagement with finger 93), the spring-99 will bring the finger back to its normal position as indicated in Figure 4. During this retraction, the tube 69 will be sufficiently inwardly disposed to entirely clear needle E8; The approximate direction of'movement of tube 69 is indicated in Figure '7 wherein the wrap-around yarn is shown forme'dinto several loops'constitut mg the striped portion of the fabric.

As the cam ring l3and associatedparts continue: their rotary movement about the cylinder, .the'body yarn t l will be operatively received by the various needles to produce the body portion of the knitted fabric; andthis operation takes place with the wrap-around'needles preferably just after the wrap-around step has been com-' pleted; -All needles are subsequently drawn down by the stitch cams to complete a knitting cycle. Thus in Figure I, the striping-yarn 31 is shown as an integral part of afabric containing the body yarn 29. v

As indicated inFigure'S, the wrap-around and body yarn needles are elevated to their respective levelsby'the cam ii, the uppermost positions of all the needles being such that the latches arealways above latch clearing position.

It should further be noted that the fabricated cloth 99, extending downwardly from the cylinder intubular form, passes between the bifurcated stationary position by the member 51,- all as here- I inabove clearly set forth. Hence the structure 55- provides a convenient means of enabling the wrap-around yarn to be operatively fed at desired. stations about the cylinder, in cooperative relation with ordinary. body yarn operatively knitted through the medium of the rotating mechanisms. A considerable portion of the wrap: around apparatus is positioned within the hollow. interior of the cylinder, which is normally unutilized space; and no portion of the wrap-around mechanism nor the'stand for thewrap-around yarn extends outside of the machine, nor in fact outside of the substantially cylindrical wall of body yarn 2d.

An important feature is'the construction herein'abcve described embodying the employment of radially movable wrap-around bars 49, these bars being substantially at the level of the needles, or just slightly thereabove.

cumbersome and dangerous. The simplicity and ease of action of the present invention is rendered possible by the'use' of the relatively simple and horizontally disposed dial members," one being will be seen that. instead of-employing the said radially movable bars, the" stationary wraparound bars' 99 are used, these being suitably mounted at selected stations along the periphery of .thestationary dial-like platform 9!. This platform is held in fixed relation with respectto the cylinder ID by holding means 490, similar to those employed in the aforesaid preferred structure of my invention. Each of the said'bars 90 is provided a pivotally mounted flap or finger 92, held by spring 93 in predetermined fixed relation with respect to the'body portion of bar 99. The said flap contains therein an aperture 94 for receiving the"wrap-around yarn 95 from the yarn cones 96 which are preferably, although not necessarily, positioned on platform 9|. In the preferred arrangement, thewrap-aro'und bar is provided with an upright portion 91 containing an aperture 98 therein for receiving the yarn .95 and enabling it to be properly guided to the said aperture' 94.

Suitably mounted upon the cam ring 84 and obviously rotatable'therewith are a plurality'of spacedcams 99, analogous in function to j the cards 85 of the preferred structure above-referred to, these cams corresponding in number with the body-yarn feed stations. Each of the cams 99 extendsinwardly towards the cylinder and is adapted to engage the adjacent flap 92 of the bar 90 during the rotary'movement of the cam ring, each cam 99 swinging the coacting flap 92 against the action of spring 93 to its projected wraparound position. v

Specifically, by referring to Figure 11' it will be seen that the'cam '99 strikes the flap 92 and carries it to the position indicated by dash lines. When this 'action occurs, the wrap-around yarn 95 is carried around the shank of the wrap-around needle I09, as indicated in Figure 11; and thereafter when the needle is operatively depressed, the wrap 'around yarn will be operatively carried downwardly by the hookof the needle. Obviously, when the cam'99 passes'beyond flap 92 in its projected position, the fla p will be returned to its normal position under the influence of the spring 93. It has been foun'd that a complete wrap-around swing; can thus. be satisfactorily efie'ctuated, without any radial movement of the bar9ll;""" By referring to Figures 13 and 14 it will be seen'that instead of employing the double-track camequivalent to cam 'Hillustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the conventional elevating cam l9! and stitchcam I92 are'employed. The wrap-around needle I03, however, contains a high butt I04, the distanceX from the top of the said high butt to thetop of the needle being equal to the distance Y from the top of the conventional butt "35 of the conventional needle I 99 to the top of said needle. During the operation of the machine, the

needles "l03'an'd-496 are-elevated by the cam 1M,

.the wrap around needle i 03 beingobviously elevated to a higher position than the conventional needle-a so as to enablethe wrap-around operation to be eifectuated in a manner similar to that described with reference to the structure of Figures Sand 9. ,Theuppermost level of both the conventional and wrap-around needles is above latch-clearing.

tional and wrap-around needles, it will depress all of said needles to the same lowermost cast- 'ofl? level K, inasmuch as the distances of both types ofneedles above their respective butts are equal. It is thus obvious that with the arrangement illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, the double surface cam H can bedispensed with.

It is of course understood that the structures above-described and shown in the drawings are illustrative of my invention and not employed by way of limitation, inasmuch as numerous changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a circular open top knitting machine an "open-ended needle cylinder, a main yarn stand positioned abovethe cylinder for operatively holding body yarn cones in predetermined positions with respect to selected feeding stations about the cylinder, means for bringing the yarn from said cones into operative engagement with i the needles on the cylinder, an auxiliary yarn stand between the cylinder and the main yarn stand, said auxiliary stand being adapted for operatively supporting vertical striping yarn cones in fixed predetermined positions with respect to the cylinder, feeding means adjacent selected needles onfthe cylinder for operatively I bringing the yarn from the cones on said auxiliary stand into operative engagement with said selected needles, actuators for said feeding means and movable within a substantially horizontal plane, supporting means for holding said actu- .ators during their operative movements insubstantially horizontal positions, said supporting means being in .fixed relation to the cylinder, a sinker cam ring exteriorly disposed with respect to the top of the cylinder, and cam means mounted upon said camfring, said cam means pro- .jecting inwardly a sufficient amount for operative engagement withsaid actuators, during the operative movement of the rotary portion of the machine. i I

'2. In a circular open top knitting machine anopen-ended needle cylinder, a main yarn stand positioned abovelthe cylinder for operatively holding. body yarn cones in predetermined positions with respect to selected feeding Sta tions about the cylinder, means for bringing the yarn from said cones into Ioperative engagement with the needles on thecylindenan auxiliary yarn .stand between the cylinder and the main yarn'stand, said auxiliarystand being adapted for operatively supporting vertical striping yarn cones in fixed predetermined positions with respect to the cylinder, feeding means adjacent selected needles on the cylinder for operatively bringing the yarn from the cones on said auxiliary stand into operative engagement with said selected needles, actuators for said feeding means ,and movable within a substantially horizontal plane, supporting means for holding said actuators during their operativemovementsjin sub}.

rte izqnt s lidi es; id tw eriin When the "cam Hi2 op-. eratively reaches the butts of both the convenmeans being in 'fixed relation to the cylinder, meansfor operatively moving said actuators into "inner. retracted positions and outer projected positions, and a sinker cam ring exteriorly 'disposed with respect' to the top of the cylinder; the said iactua'tors constituting wraparound olements each having a pivotally mounted finger :carrying the said feeding means, the feeding meansbeing behind their respective cooperating needles when their respective actuators are in their retracted positions and in front of said needles when the actuators are in their projected positions; and further provided with. cam means mounted on said cam ring for operatively engaging the said fingers, during the operative movement of the machine, to move the feeding means carried :by the fingers past, the adjacent .cooperatin'gneedles, whereupon the correspond- .ing stripingyarn will be operatively wrapped 20 I about the adjacent needle upon a retraction of the actuator. I

3. In -a circular knitting machine, a hollow .for operatively supporting vertical striping yarn cones in' fixed predetermined positions withre- :spect to the cylinder, 'feeding means adjacent,

said wrap-around needles for operatively bring- Ling theyarn fromtheficones on said'auxiliary stand into operative engagement with said wrap- ;around ineedles at points'above the feeding level of the body-yarn, substantially horizontally dis- :posed :a'ctuators for said feedingmeans andmovable from .normalilretracted positions to' projected positions, substantially horizontal supporting .means for said actuators and in fixed relation with respect to the cylinder, and means for operatively'moving'said actuators, the latches of the zwrap-aroundflneedlesbeing longer than said body-yarn needles,,an auxiliary yarnstand those :of the .bodyeyarn needlesythe latches of all aneedles when open. at their uppermost ftions :being above latch-clearing level;

I 4. In .a oi'rcularknitting machine, the composibinationnaccording to claim :3, the buttsof the wrap-around needles .beinglonger {than those of the bo'dy-xyarnneedles, and. the ,said elevating means comprising "a plurality of double-track cams each containing two inclinedsurfaces, one :of said surfaces being relatively close to the cylinderand adapted to operatively engage only the short butts 0f the bodyyarn needles, the

other of :said surfaces being farther removed from the cylinder and out of .reaclr'of the said short butts andadapted toen gage only the long butts of the wrap around needles and also being of a greater height and steeper inclination than said first-mentioned"inclined surface.

5. In a circular knitting machine adapted to operatively accommodatelong-butt and shortbutt needles, a unitary elevating cam member comprising a plurality of spaced double-track sections, eachof said sections containing an ine r re Permanent- 9 1 P e iewe m thereof with an inclined cam surface'for opera.-

.tively engaging onlythe short-butt needles, and an outer portion more remote from the cylinder than said inwardly protruding portion and provided at the top thereof with an inclined cam surface out of reach of the short-butt needles and adapted to operatively engage only the long-butt needles, said two cam surfaces being of different inclinations andheights; and a stitch cam following each of said sections for operatively engaging the butts of all the needles to draw them down; the said cam members containing a recessed portion betweensaid double-track sections for accommodating a coacting stitch cam.

6; In a circular open top knitting machine, a stationary open-ended needle cylinder, a rotatable main yarn stand positioned above the cylinder for operatively holding body warn cones in predetermined positions with respect to selected feeding stations about the cylinder, means for bringing the yarn from said cones into operative engagement with the needles on the cylinder, a stationary. auxiliary yarn stand between the cylinder and the main yarn stand and adapted for operatively supporting vertical striping yarn cones in fixed predetermined positions with respect to the cylinder, a central post keyed to the main yarn stand so, as to revolve therewith and extending downwardly axially of the cylinder, a stationary dial loosely mounted over said post and positioned adjacent the top of the cylinder and in fixed relation with respect thereto, said 1 dial having a substantially horizontal peripheral portion adjacent the interior of the cylinder, a plurality of substantially radially'disposed wraparound bars mounted upon said peripheral portion, feeding means associated with said bars operatively connecting the yarn from said auxiliary stand to selected adjacent coacting needles about the cylinder, each of said bars containing an upwardly extending butt, and a rotatable tral post having affixed thereto a bearing in supporting. engagement with said stationary dial, other bearing means superimposed upon said rotatable dial and in supporting engagement with said auxiliary stand, and means for holding said auxiliary stand in fixed relation to the cylinder.

8. In a circular open-top knitting machine, the combination according to claim 6, the peripheral portion of the stationary dial containing a plurality of radially disposed slots for accommodating said bars, and the peripheral portion of the rotary dial containingflon the underside thereof a recessed cam portion into which the butts of th said bars operatively extend.

9. In a circular open-top knitting machine, a

I wrap-around bar comprising an elongated strip, a

finger pivotally mounted on said strip, a yarnfeeding tube secured to said finger, spring means yieldably holdingsaid finger in a predetermined normal position with respect to said strip, a butt protruding from said strip, means for supporting said strip substantially horizontallyjand radially with respectjto the cylinder of the machine and adjacent the open top thereof, actuating means for engaging said butts for ,operatively actuating the bars into predetermined positions with respect to selected needles on the cylinder, and

cam means associated with the cylinder for engaging said fingers for pivotally moving them against the resistance of said spring means into predetermined.- positions with respect to said selected needles.

10. A wrap-around bar for operative use with a selected needle on a circular open-top knitting machine, comprising an elongated strip containing a butt protruding therefrom, a finger pivotally mounted on said strip, a spring yieldably holding the-finger in a predetermined position with respect to the strip, and a yarn-feeding tube 1 holding body yarn cones in predetermined positions ,with respect to selected feeding stations about the cylinder, means for bringing yarn from said cones into operative engagement with the needles on the cylinder, a central post secured to the main yarn stand and. extending downwardly axially of the cylinder, a dial-like platform loosely mounted over said post and positioned adjacent the top of the cylinder and in fixed relation with respect thereto, a predetermined number of vertical striping yarn cones in fixed predetermined positions with respect to the cylinder, said platform having a substantially horizontal peripheral portion adjacent the interior of the cylinder, a wrap-around bar for each of said striping yarn cones mounted on said peripheral portion, feeding means associated witheach of said bars operatively connecting the yarn from said striping yarn cones to selected adjacent coacting needles about the cylinder, each of said bars containing a pivotally mounted finger and a spring yieldably holding the finger in fixed predetermined relation to the body portion of the bar, and cam means associated with the cylinder for engaging said fingers for pivotally moving them against the action of said springs into predetermined positions with respect to said selected coacting needles. g

13. In a circular open top knitting machine, the combination according to claim 12, wherein the bars are stationary except for the said fingers,- each of said fingers being adapted to slidably Support a yarn from. a corresponding striping yarn cone, said fingers each being normally on a predetermined side of an adjacent coacting needle and being adapted to be actuated by said cam means on the cylinder 'to a projected position on the opposite side of said needle, whereupon the corresponding striping yarn will be operatively brought into engagement with said needle under the hook thereof.

' 14. A wrap-around bar for operative use with a selected vertical needle on a circular open-top knitting machine, comprising a horizontally extending elongated strip, a horizontally extending finger pivotally mounted on said strip, and a spring yieldably holdingthe-finger in a predetermined position with-respect to the strip.

15. A wrap-around bar for operative use with with an upright portion containing an aperture therein for slidably receiving yarn therethrough and guiding it to said apertured feeding portion on the finger.

17. In a circular open top knitting machine,

the combination according to claim 12, the said selected coasting needles being wrap-around needles and all the" other said needles being body yarn needles, the cylinder being further provided with needle elevating and needle-depressing means, the needle-elevating means including means to raise the needles to latch-clearing positions with the hooks of the wrap-around needles above those of the body-yarn needles, the needledepressing means being engageable with all the needles.

18. In a circular open top knitting machine, the combination according to claim 12, the said selected coacting needles being wrap-around needles and all the other said needles being body yarnneedles, the cylinderbeing further provided with needle-elevating and needle-depressing means, the needle-elevating means including means to raise the needles to latch-clearing positions with the hooks of the wrap-around needles above those of the body-yarn-needles, the needle- 7 depressing means being engageable with all the needles, the butts of the wrap-around needles extending higher than the butts of the body-yarn needles, the shanks of all the needles from the 20 tops of their respective butts to the hooks thereof being substantially the same height.

HARRY AGULNEK. 

